The Insider

General Dynamics tapped to build MEDUSA minelaying vehicle prototype
By Nick Wilson
October 22, 2024 at 3:11 PM

Naval Sea Systems Command has selected General Dynamics to design and build an unmanned maritime minelaying system, awarding the company a contract worth up to $58 million, according to a Monday notice.

Under the award, General Dynamics Mission Systems will build a tactical prototype system of the Mining Expendable Delivery Unmanned Submarine Asset (MEDUSA), an expendable uncrewed undersea vehicle that will launch from submarine torpedo tubes to lay mines.

The Navy received three bids for the contracts and awarded General Dynamics an initial $15.9 million contract on Sept. 27. Work under this award is expected to conclude in September 2026 but could stretch until 2032 and climb to $58 million if additional options are exercised, the announcement states.

A draft request for proposals was published in September 2023, describing MEDUSA as a “tactical clandestine mining system.” According to budget documents, the system “features torpedo tube launch capability, long range, high payload placement accuracy and can handle heavy payloads.”

The Navy requested approximately $9.3 million for the program in fiscal year 2025 following a $32.5 million request the previous year. Budget documents attribute this decrease to the completion of technical risk-reduction efforts in FY-24 and the transition to contractor design efforts in FY-25.

Industry-led risk-reduction efforts are expected to continue in FY-25, budget documents indicate, along with “submarine integration, system safety engineering activities, mine payload development, and mission planning and submarine control system integration efforts.” A preliminary design review is expected in the final quarter of FY-25.

TACAMO mission aircraft to be called E-130J
By Abby Shepherd
October 22, 2024 at 3:10 PM

The Navy's Take Charge and Move Out mission aircraft has a new selected name -- E-130J -- after being previously referred to as E-XX, the service announced Monday.

The Navy’s program for airborne nuclear command, control and communications is set to replace current aging E-6B aircraft and is slated to transition to a major capability acquisition pathway in the first quarter of fiscal year 2025, a Navy spokesperson told Inside Defense in August.

“I am proud to announce that the U.S. Navy’s new TACAMO aircraft will be the E-130J,” said PMA-271 Program Manager Capt. Adam Scott in the news release. “This is an important milestone as we work toward delivering the next generation of TACAMO aircraft to the warfighter."

Northrop Grumman is the incumbent contractor for maintaining the E-6B TACAMO aircraft and is currently competing for the E-130J contract award.

The INSIDER daily digest -- Oct. 22, 2024
By John Liang
October 22, 2024 at 1:02 PM

This Tuesday INSIDER Daily Digest has news on the Army scrapping plans to base the Mid-Range Capability on Guam, the Indirect Fires Protection Capability (IFPC) Increment 2 project, the developmental Launched Effects initiative, the Armored Multi-Purpose Vehicle program and F-35 operations and maintenance problems.

On Sept. 11, Pentagon Comptroller Mike McCord finalized a budget action to reprogram funds appropriated in fiscal years 2023 and 2024 from lower- to higher-priority projects, identifying $34.7 million previously allocated for the Strategic Mid-Range Capability now available to finance other pressing needs:

Army scraps plans for MRC on Guam; 'adversaries took notice' of inaugural deployment

The Army is scrapping plans to base its new Chinese ship-killing unit on Guam, removing the Mid-Range Capability (MRC) from the planned architecture for the Western Pacific U.S. territory -- an aspect of Defense Department designs for the region not previously made public.

Document: DOD's September 2024 reprogramming request

More coverage from last week's AUSA conference:

IFPC Inc. 2 notches 'very successful' developmental test, begins operational testing

The Indirect Fires Protection Capability (IFPC) Increment 2 project -- the Army effort to develop a new cruise missile defense system -- is pivoting to operational testing this fall after knocking down a trio of targets in a "very successful" live-fire event, a milestone that keeps the project on track for a production review in early 2025.

With FARA cancelled, Army charts way forward on Launched Effects

With the Army's decision to end its Future Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft program earlier this year, officials touted the developmental Launched Effects initiative last week at the Association of the United States Army's annual trade show in Washington.

BAE Systems set to speed up AMPV pace with new production line and 'Virtual Proving Ground'

As the Army prepares a pivot to full-rate production for the Armored Multi-Purpose Vehicle, the prime contractor, BAE Systems, announced it will open a second production line, and, going forward, take advantage of its advanced digital modeling system, dubbed the Virtual Proving Ground.

Read our full AUSA coverage.

A new Government Accountability Office report "provides information on how the Air Force and Navy (which includes the Marine Corps) develop their [operations and maintenance] funding requirements for active-duty tactical aircraft; the amount of O&M funds used during fiscal years 2018 through 2023; and any association of trends in O&M funding with mission capable rates":

GAO: All F-35 variants fall short of minimum readiness goals for sixth consecutive year

The Pentagon's costliest weapon system has yet again fallen below Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps mission-capable rate goals, due partly to ongoing challenges with depot and organizational maintenance, according to the government's top watchdog.

Document: GAO report on tactical aircraft O&M

Marine Corps moving toward 'agnostic hardware' as it looks to improve interoperability
By Nick Wilson
October 21, 2024 at 4:31 PM

The Marine Corps is in the early stages of a transition to buying “agnostic hardware” where physical platforms are decoupled from the software they run on, giving the service freedom to outfit its systems with the best software for the task at hand.

“You typically would buy a capability, you would buy some hardware, and the software would be installed on it. I think going forward, what we're marching toward is agnostic hardware,” Col. Jason Quinter, commanding officer of Marine Air Control Group 38, said today during a Defense News webinar.

“So, the hardware meets a certain performance specification for memory, processing, compute, storage [and] you're agnostic to what company built it. It's just commodity hardware, and that hardware can support the software that we would want to run on it,” he continued.

This idea is still at least five to 10 years away, Quinter said, but the Marine Corps is beginning to establish a foundation to make it a reality. Eventually, the concept could improve interoperability across the Defense Department by enabling more systems to talk to one another.

Currently, many programs of record have hardware interface issues that prevent them from communicating, Quinter said. But in a hardware-agnostic world, the Marine Corps and other service branches could implement their own software fixes to solve these issues.

“The way we're going to make the systems interoperable is through a development and use of [application programming interfaces] or we're going to stitch that software together to fix some of the interoperability problems ourselves,” he said.

The Navy is also taking steps to establish an autonomy baseline for its uncrewed systems, tasking technology company SOLUTE with building an archive of commercially available software and hardware for autonomous surface and undersea systems to help the service select and pair the best capabilities.

The INSIDER daily digest -- Oct. 21, 2024
By John Liang
October 21, 2024 at 2:01 PM

This Monday INSIDER Daily Digest has news on the Air Force's new Global Enterprise Network for Universal Sustainment, the Army's Armored Multipurpose Vehicle and more.

We start off with an Air Force effort that makes up the service's portion of the Pentagon's Regional Sustainment Framework announced in May to maintain, repair and overhaul weapon systems in the Indo-Pacific region without needing to send bad equipment all the way back to U.S.-based depots:

Meet GENUS: Air Force's offering for Regional Sustainment Framework in the Indo-Pacific

Since January, a contingent of Air Force Sustainment Center officials have traveled to Australia, New Zealand and the Philippines to forge early partnerships for the service's new Global Enterprise Network for Universal Sustainment, Inside Defense has learned.

More coverage from last week's AUSA conference:

Army makes move to define new AMPV configuration, seeks concept study for engineers

The Army is laying the groundwork for a sixth configuration of the Armored Multipurpose Vehicle -- the first addition to the original fleet of five variants since the AMPV requirement was codified in 2013 -- to give combat and mechanized engineers a modern, tracked system to support front-line forces.

Integration and autonomy: Army wants to hear from industry on robotics

The Army will work closely in a "back-and-forth process" with the user community to develop robotic vehicle capabilities, starting next month when it hosts industry days to hear how companies might help smooth over issues it’s having, officials announced Wednesday.

Read our full AUSA coverage.

Last but by no means least, here's the latest CMMC coverage from our colleagues at Inside Cybersecurity:

Cyber AB sees opportunity to grow assessment ecosystem following release of final CMMC program rule

The accreditation body behind the Pentagon's Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification program is expecting an increase in the number of assessment firms and certified assessors who want to participate in the Defense Department initiative, as work gets underway to stand up a formal ecosystem under the final programmatic rule.

NDIA, AIA propose providing prime contractors with access to CMMC assessments on Pentagon system

Two major defense associations are proposing to allow prime contractors access to an online system where companies who are part of the defense industrial base will provide the results of their Cybersecurity Model Certification assessments to the Pentagon.

DOD announces $400M Ukraine aid package
By Tony Bertuca
October 21, 2024 at 1:07 PM

The Pentagon announced a $400 million weapons package for Ukraine today amid a visit to Kyiv by Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin.

The package, being provided via Presidential Drawdown Authority, includes:

  • Ammunition for High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS);
  • 155mm and 105mm artillery ammunition;
  • 60mm, 81mm, and 120mm mortar systems and rounds;
  • Tube-launched, Optically tracked, Wire-guided (TOW) missiles;
  • Javelin and AT-4 anti-armor systems;
  • M113 Armored Personnel Carriers;
  • Satellite communication equipment;
  • Small arms and ammunition;
  • Grenades and training equipment;
  • Demolitions equipment and munitions;
  • Equipment to protect critical national infrastructure; and
  • Spare parts, ancillary equipment, services, training, and transportation.

Austin, during a speech today, said the stakes are clear in Ukraine’s fight against Russia’s ongoing invasion.

“The outcome of Ukraine’s fight for freedom will help set the trajectory for global security in the 21st century,” he said. “Europe’s future is on the line. NATO’s strength is on the line. And America’s security is on the line.”

Army awards Leidos $331M contract for network modernization
By Dan Schere
October 21, 2024 at 11:21 AM

The Army has awarded Leidos a $331 million contract that aligns with the service's network modernization strategy and Unified Network Plan, the information technology company announced today.

The contract has a “one-year base period of performance” and four one-year option periods, according to Leidos.

Under the contract, Leidos will deploy the Army Global Unified Network (AGUN), which uses software-defined network technologies to support the service’s transition to a “zero-trust architecture.” AGUN will be deployed to individual Army sites to “deliver a standardized, orchestrated modern network architecture.” This will allow the Army to divest from its Joint Regional Security Stacks, according to Leidos.

Steve Hull, the president of Leidos’ digital modernization sector, said in a statement today that the contract “underscores our commitment to supporting the U.S. Army’s modernization efforts.”

“We are proud to partner with the Army in deploying the Global Unified Network, which will enhance interoperability and security across all levels of operations. This initiative not only aligns with the Army’s Network Modernization Strategy but also aims to position us at the forefront of advancing military communication capabilities in an increasingly complex global landscape,” he said.

The week ahead
By Tony Bertuca
October 21, 2024 at 5:00 AM

Senior defense officials are scheduled to speak at several events this week.

Tuesday

The Mitchell Institute hosts a discussion with the U.S. Space Forces Indo-Pacific commander.

Thursday

The Center for Strategic and International Studies hosts a discussion with former Air Force acquisition chief Will Roper on the future of artificial intelligence and autonomy.

Friday

The Military Reporters and Editors Conference is held.

FREE TO READ: Path to Air Force's CJADC2 contribution revealed through integrating PEO
By Shelley K. Mesch
October 18, 2024 at 4:01 PM

After years of changing strategies, the Air Force may have finally landed on a pathway to build and field its contribution to the Combined Joint All Domain Command and Control effort.

The newest strategy -- creating a Department of the Air Force Battle Network laser-focused on C2 capabilities and only C2 capabilities -- stems from the Command, Control, Communication and Battle Management integrating program executive office created by service Secretary Frank Kendall about two years ago.

Read the full story, now available to all.

The INSIDER daily digest -- Oct. 18, 2024
By John Liang
October 18, 2024 at 2:00 PM

This Friday INSIDER Daily Digest has news on Navy dry docks, plus more coverage from the AUSA conference as well as funding for Air Force depots.

We start off with Navy dry dock news:

Navy considering industry partnership to share cost and use of new West Coast dry dock

The Navy is contemplating a collaborative public-private approach to buying and operating a new dry dock on the West Coast, according to an Oct. 15 request for information that floats the idea of entering into a "business partnership" with a commercial entity to share production costs and use of the infrastructure.

Continuing coverage of this week's big AUSA conference:

Army approves, sends to JROC new requirement for integrated offensive-defensive fires

The Army has approved a new requirement to integrate offensive and defensive fires -- a paradigm-changing capability that promises a significant breakthrough in missile warfare -- and is now preparing to ask Pentagon top brass to codify this objective through additional performance parameters for the Integrated Battle Command System (IBCS).

Digital models give Army confidence in Bradley replacement

A models-based approach to the XM30's design phase has helped the Army catch errors that would have otherwise slipped through the cracks, a service official said this week.

Milestone C for Army's T901 engines now expected in 2028-2029 timeframe

Army Program Executive Officer for Aviation Brig. Gen. David Phillips said this week at the Association of the U.S. Army conference in Washington that the service now expects the T901 Improved Turbine Engine to enter milestone C, the production phase, in the 2028 to 2029 timeframe.

Read our full AUSA coverage.

News on the Air Force's depots and JADC2 efforts:

Without $1.5 billion boost for depots, Air Force will need to make tough choices on force design

A requested $1.5 billion in spare parts funding could make all the difference in reinvigorating the Air Force's ailing depots and make space for technical innovation, a top sustainment official said, but without it, several key operational initiatives the service has put in place to rival China will not have enough juice to reach the finish line.

Path to Air Force's CJADC2 contribution revealed through integrating PEO

After years of changing strategies, the Air Force may have finally landed on a pathway to build and field its contribution to the Combined Joint All Domain Command and Control effort.

Last but by no means least, our colleagues at Inside Cybersecurity have the latest on the Pentagon's Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification program:

CMMC program director addresses competition, small business needs as rollout of final rule begins

The publication on Tuesday of the final rule to establish the Pentagon's Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification program kicks off workstreams developed over the last three years, according to program director Buddy Dees who spoke with Inside Cybersecurity on efforts to prepare for the launch and assessment needs.

The INSIDER daily digest -- Oct. 17, 2024
By John Liang
October 17, 2024 at 2:21 PM

This Thursday INSIDER Daily Digest has news on the Navy looking to develop nuclear power sites on military installations, plus coverage of the Pentagon's Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification program and the AUSA conference.

We start off with the Navy developing nuclear power sites on military installations:

Navy requests information to develop nuclear power sites

The Navy is seeking to expand its clean energy generation through development of nuclear power sites on underutilized military land, including seven locations of interest across Virginia, Maryland and North Carolina.

Our colleagues at Inside Cybersecurity have the latest on the Pentagon's Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification program:

PSC: 'Narrow' scope of CMMC program final rule leads to questions on implementation

The Pentagon's decision to make many comments out of scope from its final rule on the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification program raises concerns over how the rollout will work in practice as contracting officers write requirements into solicitations, according to the Professional Services Council.

Industry coalition identifies issues with proposed affirmation process, flow-down requirements in CMMC acquisition rule

A coalition of industry groups is asking the Defense Department to make changes to its proposed acquisition rule for the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification program to address concerns over affirmation of compliance and how to track flow-down requirements in supply chains.

Continuing coverage of this week's big AUSA conference:

Army's Stryker turret may have passed its testing phase, just not unscathed

The Army announced it has wrapped production verification testing of its Medium Caliber Weapon System, touting it is "beating requirements" for reliability and will start to field the turret atop the Stryker vehicle in the second quarter of fiscal year 2025. But that doesn’t mean it's not without hiccups.

Army leaders: U.S. requires layered response to meet small UAS threat across regions

Army leaders across all areas of responsibility shared the challenges they face in efforts to meet the threat posed by adversaries' small, uncrewed aerial systems this week, but one similar refrain remained -- the U.S. military's response must be layered.

Marine Corps selects two companies to produce MADIS counter-UAS component
By Nick Wilson
October 17, 2024 at 11:41 AM

The Marine Corps has awarded two contracts worth up to $200 million each to companies Invariant Corp. and Anduril to build and integrate a counter-drone component of a developing, mobile air defense system, according to an Oct. 16 Pentagon announcement.

Under the awards, the two companies are tasked with delivering a counter-unmanned aircraft system engagement system (CES) for the Marine Air Defense Integrated System (MADIS). A June 2023 pre-solicitation for the CES component describes it as “an advanced, highly autonomous effector” to take down UAS threats at “significant ranges from the launch location.”

Work under the contracts, which include a base period and four option periods of undisclosed length, is expected to conclude by October 2031. The contracts were awarded competitively, with the Marine Corps receiving bids from four companies, the notice adds.

MADIS is a short-range, surface-to-air capability intended to protect ground forces from low-altitude UAS and aircraft. Developed by the Marine Corps’ ground-based air defense program office, it consists of a "fighting pair" of Joint Light Tactical Vehicles, with the first JLTV carrying radar and other systems to detect and track threats, and the second carrying a launcher and stinger missile interceptors.

The CES will be integrated into the JLTV’s remote weapon station or mounted on a JLTV trailer to enhance its counter-drone capabilities, according to the June pre-solicitation.

In April, program officials said the system is expected to achieve initial operational capability in early fiscal year 2025. Fielding is expected to follow in FY-25, with the 3rd Littoral Anti-Air Battalion -- part of the Hawaii-based 3rd Marine Littoral Regiment -- selected as the first Marine Corps battalion to receive MADIS.

The service’s FY-25 budget request aims to increase procurement spending on its total ground-based air defense portfolio from $250 million in FY-24 to $370 million in FY-25, including $171.5 million to purchase 13 MADIS systems.

HII names new CTO for mission tech division
By John Liang
October 16, 2024 at 3:30 PM

HII today announced the promotion of John Bell to chief technology officer for the company's Mission Technologies division.

Bell’s appointment is part of the alignment between HII's Mission Technologies CTO office and the corporate CTO office, "supporting the rapid growth of Mission Technologies, new cross-division opportunities and the adoption of 'Industry 4.0' capabilities, including Artificial Intelligence (AI), Big Data and Robotics," HII said in a statement.

“As HII looks to the future, it’s leaders like John Bell who will drive our mission forward, embracing innovation and harnessing technology to meet the complex challenges ahead,” Andy Green, HII executive vice president and president of the Mission Technologies division. “His promotion to CTO reflects not only his profound expertise but also our commitment to advancing technologies that will shape the future of defense.”

Bell has worked for HII for 29 years, doing research and development on networks, information systems, communications, cybersecurity and advanced physics-based modeling and simulation for various weapons, sensors and C5ISR systems, according to the company.

DOD announces $425M package for Ukraine
By Tony Bertuca
October 16, 2024 at 2:36 PM

The Defense Department intends to transfer $425 million in U.S. weapons to Ukraine, including air defense capabilities, air-to-ground weapons, munitions, armored vehicles and anti-tank weapons.

The transfer, being made via Presidential Drawdown Authority, includes:

  • Additional munitions for National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems (NASAMS):
  • RIM-7 missiles and support for air defense;
  • Stinger anti-aircraft missiles;
  • Ammunition for High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS);
  • Air-to-ground munitions;
  • 155mm and 105mm artillery ammunition;
  • Tube-launched, Optically tracked, Wire-guided (TOW) missiles;
  • Javelin and AT-4 anti-armor systems;
  • Small arms and ammunition;
  • Grenades, thermals and training equipment;
  • Demolitions equipment and munitions;
  • Humvees; and
  • Spare parts, ancillary equipment, services, training, and transportation

The transfers mark the 67th tranche of U.S. equipment to be shipped to Ukraine since August 2021.

The INSIDER daily digest -- Oct. 16, 2024
By John Liang
October 16, 2024 at 1:25 PM

This Wednesday INSIDER Daily Digest has news from this week's AUSA conference as well as the Pentagon's Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification final rule.

We start off with continuing coverage of this year's AUSA conference:

Army howitzer performance demos, ensuing competition phase won't include new, extended-range munition round

The Army is working on an advanced munition for extended-range artillery, but the round won’t be ready to take part in the self-propelled howitzer demonstrations that start next month, nor will it be fired in the competition phase, according to a senior service official.

Army amping up transformation in contact efforts by adding two more divisions, chief says

The Army will add two more divisions to its "transformation in contact" initiative, along with two armored brigade combat teams, two Stryker brigade combat teams and additional formations in the National Guard and reserves, Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George announced.

Army under secretary announces cybersecure enclave for small business innovation

Army Under Secretary Gabe Camarillo has revealed the service will invest $26 million across fiscal years 2025 and 2026 on a new pipeline for small businesses to work with the Defense Department without having to worry about cybersecurity threats.

While we're on the topic of cybersecurity, here's coverage of the Pentagon's Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification program final rule from our colleagues at Inside Cybersecurity:

DOD reveals parameters to establish CMMC program in final rule

The Pentagon has unveiled its plans to launch the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification through a final rule published today laying out key definitions, applicability for contractors and parameters for the assessment process.

Document: DOD's final CMMC rule

 

DOD clarifies use of external service providers to assist with CMMC assessments

The Pentagon's final rule to implement the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification program addresses concerns from cloud service providers and managed service providers over how they can be used to help companies reach compliance with the Defense Department effort.

Pentagon releases updated assessment, scoping guides in line with CMMC program final rule

The Defense Department has updated its website for the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification program with the latest versions of guides for the assessment and scoping, the CMMC model and a FAQ explaining key changes, as work gets underway to implement a final rule to establish the DOD initiative.